EbonyLife TV Acquires Melrose Place, Dynasty Format Rights

EBONYLIFE TV has acquired from CBS Studios International the format rights to classic blockbuster series, Melrose Place and Dynasty.
Set in and named after an apartment block in the West Hollywood district of Los Angeles, Melrose Place chronicles the lives and loves of a group of young adults, each with their own dreams and drives.

A doctor and a budding fashion designer, roommates who later fall in love and a man with no love life round out the first round of tenants in this tiny apartment complex that boasts a very interesting and spellbinding way of life.

Dynasty is an ‘80s American drama series about a wealthy but dysfunctional oil rich family and the conflict between two large corporations: Denver Carrington and Colby Co. It is an irresistible and spellbinding story of passion, glamour, catfights and the biggest shoulder pads in Denver. Dynasty was the long-running primetime soap fueled by an all-star cast and ‘sexsational’ storylines.

Commenting on the news, Executive Chairman and CEO of EbonyLife TV, Mo Abudu, said, “we’re highly pleased to have acquired the format rights for Melrose Place and Dynasty, two of the most iconic and unforgettable series from CBSSI, the home of some of the world’s most amazing storylines and electrifying series! Coming on the heels of our co-production partnership with the Walt Disney Company on the production of Desperate Housewives Africa, based on the multiple award winning ABC Television drama hit series, Desperate Housewives, we can’t wait to bring our viewers globally Africa’s versions of these multiple Golden Globe nominee thrillers.”

Roxanne Pompa, vice president, International Sales & Production for CBS Studios International said: “This is a first for CBS Studios International’s scripted formats and we are thrilled to be working with Ebony Life to develop these two iconic series for the African market.”

EbonyLife TV continues to seek global co-production partnerships on hugely successful formats in furtherance of its vision to be the preferred global network for premium African entertainment via the creation of homegrown, premium and inspiring content with an African soul that showcases the best of the continent for a Global Black audience. Desperate Housewives Africa is the first drama format ever to be made in Africa.